State honors local Marine in VA event

An injured Sgt. Robert Green III ran through a hail of bullets to assist other injured comrades in Ramadi, Iraq.

Billie Owens

Marine Sgt. Robert Green III was honored by the state Saturday in a full-dress military ceremony at the VA Medical Center.

Before an audience of about 40, the 23-year-old Bristol native was feted by Assemblyman Brian Kolb, R-Canandaigua,. and representatives of veterans groups.

“It’s an honor to be here before a great soldier,” said Craig Howard, medical center director.

Just the night before, at the Marine base in Camp LeJeune, N.C., Green received a Purple Heart for injuries received in Iraq while rescuing members of his platoon during an ambush.

“I was the lead vehicle in a convoy patrolling downtown Ramadi when we were shot by an improvised rocket rocket launcher,” Green recalled after the ceremony. “It pierced the armor. I took shrapnel in my shoulder and knee.”

He ran down a street under a hail of bullets to reach his injured comrades and assist them.

For his bravery and unselfish actions, the graduate of Canandaigua Academy was presented with the state’s Conspicuous Service Star and — New York’s oldest and most prestigious award — the Conspicuous Service Cross.

His mother, Linda Green, had the honor of pinning the medals on her son’s uniform.
In addition, Green was recognized by the Navy and Marine Corps for “heroic achievement in the superior performance of his duties while serving as section leader, weapons company, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine.”

Green also took home a proclamation by the state legislature recognizing his military service and an award from the Veterans for Veterans Connection. These honors can be added to a dozen others he’s received during his six years of duty. They include the Iraq Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Combat Action Ribbon and the Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal.

“It’s a good thing you brought your family with you today. You’ll need their help carrying all this cardboard,” joked Kolb, pointing to the plaques lined side-by-side along the rim of the auditorium stage.

“He’s tough — he’s a country boy,” said his other grandmother, 89-year-old Dorothy Green of Bristol.

For the next three years, Green plans to work as a combat instructor at Camp LeJeune.
A 10-year-old girl in the audience and a few of her little friends queued up to thank and congratulate Green after the program ended.

“Thank you for defending our country,” said Monica Markese of Northwood Elementary School in Hilton. “Our school writes letters (to soldiers) and I wrote a letter to you and I’m going to send it to you.”